What came first...?

[BigTigLSU]

Just like the age old question about the chicken or the egg when it comes to basketball there is something that is always up for debate. With almost all the teams so far holding serve on home court in the second round of the playoffs everyone likes to look at Home Court Advantage. While feeling comfortable at sleeping in your own bed playing on your own court with all your sweet spots are equally important there is a preception that the refs call the game differently for the home teams especially fouls. However is it that the Refs call the game for the home team or is the home more aggressive which gives them a better chance at getting the call.

I can see arguements on both sides many teams settle for jumpers instead of attacking the basket because they feel the Refs wont give them the call i.e. Mavs in the Finals two years ago. However is the lack of aggression allowing the ref a excuse to not give the calls. Looking at ATL this year at home they pushed the ball attacked the RIM and forced the Celtics to run all because they are enegized by the crowd. In boston they became a jump shooting team and the freethrows stopped falling. The Celtics defense didnt change but the ATL's aggression did.

So is it the refs cooking up some home cooking or are the fans energizing teams making them more aggressive forcing the refs to call the fouls.

[ChrisPaul_3]

Re: What came first...?

I think teams just play better home. They don't have to worry about the screaming and bagging from the opposing team's fan and have a quiet offesnive trip and then on defense the arena tends to get packed.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: What came first...?

I don't think the court matters one bit w/Stern's refs. Whatever he dictates, that's what gets whistled.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: What came first...?

I definitely think it has to do with the crowd's effect on players. The calls themselves don't look too different to me, honestly. The calls usually go to the aggressive team, and that's often the home team, especially the bench players.